Love is in the air, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to express your affection for those who hold a special place in your heart. What better way to start this romantic day than with a homemade breakfast that says “I love you” in the sweetest way possible? Enter heart-shaped French toast, a delightful and thoughtful gesture to show your loved ones just how much you care. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the steps to create this heartwarming breakfast surprise that will surely make your Valentine’s Day morning memorable.
Why make this breakfast?
This is a classic French toast recipe but made with heart-shaped bread. Perfect to make someone special feel special on days like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s day. You don’t need any resting time in between. That means you can have breakfast in less than 20 minutes. You can use up the stale bread. In fact, stale bread is a good candidate for French toast because it soaks up more of the egg and milk mixture and still does not fall apart. They are so easy which makes them the perfect breakfast, snack, or dinner on lazy weekends.
Ingredients and substitutes
Bread – Today, I am using a sandwich loaf cut into thick slices. But, you can also use challah, brioche, or any other sandwich bread you like. Try my brioche French toast recipe Eggs make the bases for the custard mixture. For dietary restrictions, applesauce, mashed bananas, or yogurt can be used as egg substitutes (about 1/4 cup per egg). Whole milk is the way to go to make a rich custard. As for milk substitutions, there are various options, such as 2%, 1%, skim milk, or non-dairy options like almond, soy, or oat milk. Butter adds a wonderful taste to cooking these toasts, but vegetables, canola, and coconut oil can be used as substitutes for a dairy-free or vegan version. Traditionally, vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, almond extract, or other flavored extracts can be used. Optional spices like nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice can also be used, or you can omit them if desired. Lastly, for a sweet topping, swap out maple syrup for alternatives like honey, agave nectar, or fruit syrups as sweeteners.
Step by step: Heart French Toast
Gather Your Ingredients and Tools: Before you embark on your culinary journey, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools within reach. You’ll need a heart-shaped cookie cutter, a mixing bowl, a whisk, a griddle or non-stick skillet, a spatula, and your affectionate spirit.Pro tip – Use a heart cutter close to the size of the bread so you don’t have too much waste. Use the trimming for something else.
Cut Out Heart Shapes: Using the heart-shaped cookie cutter carefully cut out heart shapes from each slice of bread. Make sure they’re as symmetrical as possible for that picture-perfect finish. Prepare the Custard Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk or cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. This custard mixture will add a lovely flavor and a custardy texture to your French toast. Soak the Heart-Shaped Bread: Dip each heart-shaped bread slice into the custard mixture, ensuring it’s thoroughly coated on both sides but not overly soaked. A quick dip, about 10-15 seconds per side, will suffice.
Cook the Heart-Shaped French Toast: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and add some butter. Once the butter has melted and is sizzling, place your heart-shaped bread slices on the skillet. Cook each side until it turns a beautiful golden brown, typically 2-3 minutes per side. Garnish with Love Transfer the heart-shaped French toast to a serving plate. Arrange fresh strawberries, raspberries, or any other favorite fruits around the heart shapes. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey ties it all together. Share the Love: Serve your heart-shaped French toast with a warm smile and hug. Your loved ones will surely appreciate the effort and thoughtfulness you put into creating this special breakfast.
Tips for Success
Choose the Right Bread: Select a bread with some thickness and stability, such as brioche, challah, or a rustic white bread. The heart shapes hold up better with slightly denser bread. Evenly Cut Hearts: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the bread shapes. Make sure they are symmetrical to achieve a polished look. Custard Mixture Consistency: Whisk the custard mixture thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well combined. This ensures an even coating on the bread. Control Soaking Time: Be mindful not to soak the bread slices for too long in the custard mixture. A quick dip, around 10-15 seconds per side, is sufficient to keep the toast from becoming too soggy. Preheat Your Cooking Surface: Make sure your griddle or skillet is preheated over medium-low heat before adding the butter and heart-shaped bread slices. This ensures even cooking and a lovely golden-brown finish. Use Butter for Cooking: Cooking with butter adds a delightful flavor and helps achieve that golden crust. Keep an eye on the heat to avoid burning the butter. Patience While Cooking: Cook the heart-shaped French toast on each side until it’s beautifully golden brown. Avoid rushing the process to ensure the interior is custardy and cooked through. Keep Warm in the Oven: If you’re making multiple servings or want to serve them all at once, keep the cooked heart-shaped French toast warm in an oven set to a low temperature (around 200°F or 93°C). Garnish with Love: Add fresh berries, powdered sugar, or a drizzle of syrup with a loving touch. Presentation can make your Valentine’s Day breakfast extra special. Personalize Your Toppings: Customize your toppings to suit your loved one’s preferences. Whipped cream, chocolate chips, or a dollop of Nutella can add an extra layer of love. Serve with a Smile: The most important tip is to serve your heart-shaped French toast with love and a warm smile. The effort and thoughtfulness you put into creating this breakfast will shine through.
What do you serve with French toast?
French toast is usually served with maple syrup or honey. Macerated fresh fruits in season are always a great option. Today, I am using fresh strawberries and blueberries because they are in season. To macerate fruits add 1 tbsp sugar for every cup of chopped fruits and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. My kids love French toast with whipped cream and chopped fruits which is another great option. Of course, if you love chocolate try chocolate syrup, Nutella, or a sprinkle of chocolate chips. I love serving French toast over Creme Anglaise for dessert too.
Frequently asked questions
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